UK Horse Racing Tips: Meydan

In a wide-open event a chance can be taken on PIPES AND DRUMS, who makes his UAE debut after showing promise for Godolphin in the UK. The son of Raven's Pass was last seen finishing second over a mile at Newmarket in July and that was arguably a career-best performance. He is a half-brother to the UAE 2000 Guineas winner Gold Town and it would be no surprise to see him dominate this field from a good draw. Stablemates Atlantic Sky and Mayaadeen are more than capable of going well in a race of this nature, while Royalcorrespondent and King's Fountain are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Pipes And Drums 2nd Atlantic Sky 3rd Mayaadeen

It is hard to oppose MOUNTAIN BREEZE, who failed to fire in a Canadian Grade 1 when last seen but her previous second to the top-class Lake Victoria at Newmarket puts her well clear of this field. The main danger is Lhakpa following her narrow defeat in a French Group 3 over 7f in October, although she will need to improve on that form to beat the selection. The rest all have questions to answer, but Secret Combination and Octans may be the best of them.
Prediction : 1st Mountain Breeze 2nd Lhakpa 3rd Secret Combination

Estmrar sets the standard based on his second to Heart Of Honor over a mile here in December but the 56-day break and slightly wider draw here are concerns. With that in mind, preference is for UNDEFEATED, who was well held back in fourth on that occasion but he was forced to travel wide and was unable to gain a prominent early position. Bhupat Seemar's colt showed much more when third to Heart Of Honor again last time and that form was boosted in the UAE 2000 Guineas last week. Stall four should be ideal for him here, with two newcomers and a slow starter drawn inside of him, and he could make all. Exculpation caught the eye on his most recent outing behind the selection and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Undefeated 2nd Estmrar 3rd Exculpation

Romantic Style is the class act in this field based on her form in France last year, but it was disappointing that she was beaten in the Cape Verdi earlier in the month. She doesn't stay a mile but dropping back to a fast 6f like this may not be ideal either. Torivega brings strong sprint form to the table from Europe, including a Group 3 third at the Curragh in September, but his recent performances at Jebel Ali have not been his best. With that in mind, the vote goes to EMARAATY ANA, who caught the eye when staying on into fifth in the Blue Point over 5f here last week and he will benefit from this step up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Emaraaty Ana 2nd Torivega 3rd Romantic Style

The draw is often vital over this C&D and it may just give the edge to GAMEKEEPER, who won over track and trip in November and was only narrowly denied in a similar event on his next start. A wide draw and drop to 6f found him out when last seen, but the son of Blue Point can be given another chance back over his optimum distance from the rail draw. His stablemate Magic Petition also has plenty in his favour and was not disgraced when fifth in a much stronger event a couple of weeks ago. Straight And Level is another likely to be in the mix, while Welcome Dream has not had much luck since his win here in December and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Gamekeeper 2nd Magic Petition 3rd Straight And Level

First Conquest readily dispatched See Hector in a 1m1f handicap here earlier in the month and it would be no surprise to see Charlie Appleby's gelding play a leading role once again. That said, the latter is 7lb better off here and both are likely to be held up, which may not be ideal with the rail out 12 metres. As a result, a chance can be taken on CAIRO, who only found the ill-fated Measured Time too good in the Al Rashidiya last month and was not disgraced in the Zabeel Mile most recently. He is unproven over this far but the five-year-old could take some catching if able to dominate. Asaassi is going in the right direction and Michael Costa's gelding is another with valid form claims.
Prediction : 1st Cairo 2nd Asaassi 3rd First Conquest

GUNS AND GLORY looked sure to relish this extra furlong when a one-paced fourth in a competitive handicap over 1m2f here recently and Bhupat Seemar's gelding may not face too much pressure for the lead. With that in mind, the four-year-old tops the shortlist ahead of Truth Explained, who was third on his UAE debut over 1m1f at Jebel Ali. He is another likely to benefit from this step up in trip and this more American-style dirt should also aid his chances. Valdivia remains unexposed over this far and edges out Tactical Bound to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Guns And Glory 2nd Truth Explained 3rd Valdivia

Given that Hallasan was a beaten odds-on favourite over 7f here earlier in the month, it is hard to see AL QUDRA being denied. The son of No Nay Never was a Listed winner over 7f at Ascot in July and only found one too good in a Canadian Grade 1 next time. He struggled to make an impact in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf when last seen but Charlie Appleby's colt should prove to be far too good for these. The aforementioned Hallasan is next best, while The Fingal Raven could reward each-way support.
Prediction : 1st Al Qudra 2nd Hallasan 3rd The Fingal Raven